U.S. patent number 11,199,207 [Application Number 16/492,360] was granted by the patent office on 2021-12-14 for motion guide device clamper mechanism.
This patent grant is currently assigned to NABEYA BI-TECH KABUSHIKI KAISHA, THK CO., LTD.. The grantee listed for this patent is NABEYA BI-TECH KABUSHIKI KAISHA, THK CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Masahiro Aoyama, Keisuke Hagiwara, Hiroomi Kuribayashi, Hiroaki Mochizuki.
United States Patent |
11,199,207 |
Mochizuki , et al. |
December 14, 2021 |
Motion guide device clamper mechanism
Abstract
The motion guide device clamper mechanism includes a clamper
main body connected to the movable member, an inner face having a
tapered shape so that the distance between the facing faces is
narrower toward the end of one face of the track member, and one
rolling member disposed between the facing faces of the one face of
the track member and the inner face. The rolling member receives a
pressing force toward a position where the distance between the
facing faces of one face of the track member and the inner face of
the clamper main body is narrow, so that a frictional force based
on the taper shape acts on the rolling member, and the restraint of
the clamper main body with respect to the track member is
performed. Further, a frictional force based upon the taper shape
is released and the non-restraint of the clamper is performed.
Inventors: |
Mochizuki; Hiroaki (Tokyo,
JP), Kuribayashi; Hiroomi (Tokyo, JP),
Hagiwara; Keisuke (Tokyo, JP), Aoyama; Masahiro
(Seki, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THK CO., LTD.
NABEYA BI-TECH KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Tokyo
Seki |
N/A
N/A |
JP
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
THK CO., LTD. (Tokyo,
JP)
NABEYA BI-TECH KABUSHIKI KAISHA (Seki, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
1000005990797 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/492,360 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2018 |
PCT
Filed: |
March 06, 2018 |
PCT No.: |
PCT/JP2018/008535 |
371(c)(1),(2),(4) Date: |
September 09, 2019 |
PCT
Pub. No.: |
WO2018/164109 |
PCT
Pub. Date: |
September 13, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
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|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20210131465 A1 |
May 6, 2021 |
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
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|
|
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Mar 9, 2017 [JP] |
|
|
JP2017-044862 |
Feb 19, 2018 [JP] |
|
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JP2018-027046 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16C
29/0642 (20130101); F16C 29/10 (20130101); F16B
2/16 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
F16C
29/06 (20060101); F16C 29/10 (20060101); F16B
2/16 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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102010045109 |
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Mar 2012 |
|
DE |
|
2529974 |
|
Jan 1984 |
|
FR |
|
2538473 |
|
Jun 1984 |
|
FR |
|
2134966 |
|
Aug 1984 |
|
GB |
|
8-62110 |
|
Mar 1996 |
|
JP |
|
2003-148463 |
|
May 2003 |
|
JP |
|
2008-32047 |
|
Feb 2008 |
|
JP |
|
2011-153669 |
|
Aug 2011 |
|
JP |
|
2015-197124 |
|
Nov 2015 |
|
JP |
|
2016-164418 |
|
Sep 2016 |
|
JP |
|
2018-31401 |
|
Mar 2018 |
|
JP |
|
2011/081209 |
|
Jul 2011 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
International Search Report dated Apr. 17, 2018, issued in
counterpart International Application No. PCT/JP2018/008535 (2
pages). cited by applicant .
Extended (Supplementary) European Search Report dated Feb. 25,
2020, issued in counterpart application No. 18764712.8. (10 pages).
cited by applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Johnson; Phillip A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Westerman, Hattori, Daniels &
Adrian, LLP
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. A motion guide device clamper mechanism including a track member
formed to extend in a longitudinal direction, and a movable member
attached to the track member via a plurality of rolling members,
the movable member being attached to a motion guide device
relatively reciprocally movable in the longitudinal direction of
the track member, the movable member being
restrained/non-restrained at any position in the longitudinal
direction of the track member to position the movable member with
respect to the track member, the motion guide device clamper
mechanism comprising: a clamper main body connected to the movable
member; an inner face formed on the clamper main body, the inner
face facing one face of the track member, the inner face having a
tapered shape in a manner in which a distance between the one face
of the track member and the inner face is narrower toward an end of
the one face of the track member; and one or more rolling members
disposed between the facing faces of the one face of the track
member and the inner face, wherein the one or more rolling members
receives a pressing force toward a position where the distance
between the one face of the track member and the inner face of the
clamper main body is narrow, a frictional force based on the
tapered shape acts on the one or more rolling members, and
restraint of the clamper main body with respect to the track member
is performed, wherein the frictional force based on the tapered
shape is released by retracting the one or more rolling members
from a position where the distance between the facing faces of the
one face of the track member and the inner face of the clamper main
body is narrow, and non-constraint of the clamper main body with
respect to the track member is performed, and wherein further, a
member for performing restraint/non-restraint of the clamper main
body with respect to the track member is, when viewing the motion
guide device from an upper face, formed to extend laterally beyond
a dimension in a width direction of the track member, the width
direction being a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal
direction.
2. A motion guide device clamper mechanism including a track member
formed to extend in a longitudinal direction, and a movable member
attached to the track member via a plurality of rolling members,
the movable member being attached to a motion guide device
relatively reciprocally movable in the longitudinal direction of
the track member, the movable member being
restrained/non-restrained at any position in the longitudinal
direction of the track member to position the movable member with
respect to the track member, the motion guide device clamper
mechanism comprising: a clamper main body together with the movable
member reciprocally movable along the longitudinal direction of the
track member; and a pair of shaft-shaped arm members attached to
the clamper main body, wherein each of the pair of arm members is
attached to the clamper main body at one end of each of the
shaft-shaped arm members via one pivot shaft, and is made to be
pivotable around a line perpendicular to the longitudinal direction
of the track member as a pivot axis, wherein an elastic body having
an elastic force so as to be sandwiched by the pair of arm members
at the other ends of the shaft-shaped arm members is installed, the
pair of arm members pivots ordinarily by an elastic force exerted
by the elastic body in a direction in which the other ends of the
pair of arm members are away from or come close to each other, and
when receiving an external force against the elastic force exerted
by the elastic body, the pair of arm members pivots in a direction
in which the other ends of the pair of arm members come close to or
are away from each other, and is made to be pivotable around the
line perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the track
member as the pivot axis, wherein one or more rolling members are
disposed in a freely rolling state between the pivot axis and an
installation position of the elastic body of each of the
shaft-shaped arm members, wherein the one or more rolling members
are disposed between facing faces of one face of the track member
and an inner face formed on the clamper main body, wherein further,
the inner face of the clamper main body is formed to have a tapered
shape in a manner in which a distance between the facing faces is
narrower toward an end of the one face of the track member, wherein
when the pair of arm members pivots in a direction in which the
other ends of the pair of arm members are away by an elastic force
exerted by the elastic body or an external force against the
elastic force exerted by the elastic body, a frictional force based
on the tapered shape acts on the one or more rolling members, the
one or more rolling members receiving the elastic force toward a
position where the distance between, the facing faces of the one
face of the track member and the inner face of the clamper main
body is narrow, and restraint of the clamper main body with respect
to the track member is performed, wherein when the pair of arm
members pivots in a direction in which the other ends of the pair
of arm members come close by an elastic force exerted by the
elastic body or an external force against the elastic force exerted
by the elastic body, a frictional force based on the tapered shape
is released by retracting the one or more rolling members from a
position where the distance between the facing faces of the one
face of the track member and the inner face of the clamper main
body is narrow, and non-restraint of the clamper main body with
respect to the track member is performed.
3. The motion guide device clamper mechanism according to claim 2,
wherein a height dimension of the clamper main body is equal to or
smaller than a height dimension of the movable member.
4. The motion guide device clamper mechanism according to claim 3,
wherein the elastic body is configured as a coil spring.
5. The motion guide device clamper mechanism according to claim 3,
wherein a wire cable is installed to connect the pair of arm
members at the other ends of the axially formed arm members,
wherein the wire cable includes a wire bridged so as to connect the
other ends of the pair of arm members, a nipple fixedly installed
at a distal end of the wire, and an outer tube covering the wire,
the wire being axially movable, wherein by pulling the wire so as
to narrow a distance between the nipple and the outer tube in a
state in which the nipple and the outer tube sandwich the other
ends of the pair of arm members, an external force against the
elastic force exerted by the elastic body is generated, the
external force pivoting the arm members in the direction in which
the other ends of the pair of arm members come close.
6. The motion guide device clamper mechanism according to claim 3,
wherein each of the pair of arm members has an engagement shape
part at one end of each of the shaft-shaped arm members, wherein by
attaching the pair of arm members to the clamper main body in a
manner in which the engagement shape part formed on each of the
pair of arm members is in a engaged state, when the arm members
pivot in a direction in which the other ends of the pair of the arm
members are away from or come close to each other, the pair of arm
members pivots in conjunction with each other.
7. The motion guide device clamper mechanism according to claim 2,
wherein the elastic body is configured as a coil spring.
8. The motion guide device clamper mechanism according to claim 7,
wherein a wire cable is installed to connect the pair of arm
members at the other ends of the axially formed arm members,
wherein the wire cable includes a wire bridged so as to connect the
other ends of the pair of arm members, a nipple fixedly installed
at a distal end of the wire, and an outer tube covering the wire,
the wire being axially movable, wherein by pulling the wire so as
to narrow a distance between the nipple and the outer tube in a
state in which the nipple and the outer tube sandwich the other
ends of the pair of arm members, an external force against the
elastic force exerted by the elastic body is generated, the
external force pivoting the arm members in the direction in which
the other ends of the pair of arm members come close.
9. The motion guide device clamper mechanism according to claim 7,
wherein each of the pair of arm members has an engagement shape
part at one end of each of the shaft-shaped arm members, wherein by
attaching the pair of arm members to the clamper main body in a
manner in which the engagement shape part formed on each of the
pair of arm members is in a engaged state, when the arm members
pivot in a direction in which the other ends of the pair of the arm
members are away from or come close to each other, the pair of arm
members pivots in conjunction with each other.
10. The motion guide device clamper mechanism according to claim 2,
wherein a wire cable is installed to connect the pair of arm
members at the other ends of the axially formed arm members,
wherein the wire cable includes a wire bridged so as to connect the
other ends of the pair of arm members, a nipple fixedly installed
at a distal end of the wire, and an outer tube covering the wire,
the wire being axially movable, wherein by pulling the wire so as
to narrow a distance between the nipple and the outer tube in a
state in which the nipple and the outer tube sandwich the other
ends of the pair of arm members, an external force against the
elastic force exerted by the elastic body is generated, the
external force pivoting the arm members in the direction in which
the other ends of the pair of arm members come close.
11. The motion guide device clamper mechanism according to claim
10, wherein the clamper main body includes a fixed wall face
disposed between the other end of any one of the pair of arm
members and the outer tube, the outer tube being fixedly installed
at the fixed wall face.
12. The motion guide device clamper mechanism according to claim
11, wherein each of the pair of arm members has an engagement shape
part at one end of each of the shaft-shaped arm members, wherein by
attaching the pair of arm members to the clamper main body in a
manner in which the engagement shape part formed on each of the
pair of arm members is in a engaged state, when the arm members
pivot in a direction in which the other ends of the pair of the arm
members are away from or come close to each other, the pair of arm
members pivots in conjunction with each other.
13. The motion guide device clamper mechanism according to claim
10, wherein each of the pair of arm members has an engagement shape
part at one end of each of the shaft-shaped arm members, wherein by
attaching the pair of arm members to the clamper main body in a
manner in which the engagement shape part formed on each of the
pair of arm members is in a engaged state, when the arm members
pivot in a direction in which the other ends of the pair of the arm
members are away from or come close to each other, the pair of arm
members pivots in conjunction with each other.
14. The motion guide device clamper mechanism according to claim 2,
wherein each of the pair of arm members has an engagement shape
part at one end of each of the shaft-shaped arm members, wherein by
attaching the pair of arm members to the clamper main body in a
manner in which the engagement shape part formed on each of the
pair of arm members is in a engaged state, when the arm members
pivot in a direction in which the other ends of the pair of the arm
members are away from or come close to each other, the pair of arm
members pivots in conjunction with each other.
15. The motion guide device clamper mechanism according to claim
14, wherein the engagement shape part is formed in a gear shape or
a serration shape.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a clamper mechanism used in a
motion guide device.
BACKGROUND ART
A motion guide device in which rolling members such as balls and
rollers intervene in the guide portion as a mechanical element for
guiding linear motion and curvilinear motion of a moving object
such as a table, and the like provides an agile movement, so that
it is used in various fields such as robots, machine tools,
semiconductor/liquid crystal manufacturing devices, and medical
devices.
A linear guide, a type of motion guide device, which has a track
rail as a track member formed extending in the longitudinal
direction, and a movable block as a movable member attached to the
track rail via a plurality of rolling members is a device in which
the movable block is relatively reciprocally movable in the
longitudinal direction of the track rail. The track rail has
rolling member rolling grooves extending along the longitudinal
direction. On the other hand, the movable block has a loaded
rolling member rolling groove facing the rolling member rolling
groove, and has a rolling member circulation passage for
circulating the rolling members. In addition, the rolling members
are arranged between the rolling member rolling grooves of the
track rail and the loaded rolling member rolling grooves of the
movable block so as to be capable of rolling in a loaded state.
When the movable block moves relatively linearly toward the track
rail, the rolling members arranged between the track rail and the
movable block perform a rolling motion, and circulate endlessly in
the rolling member circulation passage.
In addition, the following Patent Literature 1 and the like exist
as a technique in which this kind of motion guide device is
disclosed.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
Patent Literature 1: JP 2011-153669 A
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
When a motion guide device such as the linear guide described above
is used, there is a case where it is desired to position the
movable block on the track rail at any position. In order to
satisfy such a demand, in the prior art, generally, pin holes are
opened in the track rail at regular intervals, and the position of
the movable block is held by inserting a pin shaft into the pin
hole.
However, in the conventional position holding means using the pin
hole and the pin shaft, there are many restrictions on the holding
position, and it is difficult to install the movable block on the
track rail at any position.
On the other hand, although there are various clamper mechanisms
generally used for conventional machine elements, there are many
difficulties in simply applying the conventional clamper mechanism
to a motion guide device such as a linear guide. For example, for
the linear guide, since the track rail is attached to a base member
such as a base and the guide object is attached to the movable
block, it is necessary to apply a clamper mechanism that achieves
both weight reduction and miniaturization at the same time in order
to maintain a suitable guide accuracy and not to impede the
movement of these attachment members. However, such a clamper
mechanism has not existed conventionally.
The present invention has been made in view of the problems
existing in the above-described prior art, and an object of the
present invention is to provide a novel motion guide device clamper
mechanism which achieves a weight reduction and a reduction in size
simultaneously, which does not exist in the prior art and can be
suitably used for the motion guide device such as a linear
guide.
Means for Solving the Problems
A motion guide device clamper mechanism in accordance with the
present invention includes a track member formed to extend in a
longitudinal direction, and a movable member attached to the track
member via a plurality of rolling members, the movable member being
attached to a motion guide device relatively reciprocally movable
in a longitudinal direction of the track member, the movable member
being restrained/non-restrained at any position in the longitudinal
direction of the track member to position the movable member with
respect to the track member. The motion guide device clamper
mechanism includes a clamper main body connected to the movable
member, an inner face formed on the clamper main body, the inner
face facing one face of the track member, and the inner face having
a tapered shape in a manner in which a distance between facing
faces is narrower toward an end of the one face of the track
member, and one or more rolling members disposed between the facing
faces of the one face of the track member and the inner face,
wherein the one or more rolling members receives a pressing force
toward a position where the distance between the facing faces of
the one face of the track member and the inner face of the clamper
main body is narrow, a frictional force based on the tapered shape
acts on the one or more rolling members, and restraint of the
clamper main body with respect to the track member is performed,
wherein the frictional force based on the tapered shape is released
by retracting the one or more rolling members from a position where
the distance between the facing faces of the one face of the track
member and the inner face of the clamper main body is narrow, and
non-constraint of the clamper main body with respect to the track
member is performed, and wherein further, a member for performing
restraint/non-restraint of the clamper main body with respect to
the track member is, when viewing the motion guide device from an
upper face, formed to extend laterally beyond a dimension in a
width direction of the track member, the width direction being a
direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction.
Another motion guide device clamper mechanism in accordance with
the present invention includes a track member formed to extend in a
longitudinal direction, and a movable member attached to the track
member via a plurality of rolling members, the movable member being
attached to a motion guide device relatively reciprocally movable
in a longitudinal direction of the track member, the movable member
being restrained/non-restrained at any position in the longitudinal
direction of the track member to position the movable member with
respect to the track member. The motion guide device clamper
mechanism includes a clamper main body together with the movable
member reciprocally movable along the longitudinal direction of the
track member, and a pair of shaft-shaped arm members attached to
the clamper main body, wherein each of the pair of arm members is
attached to the clamper main body at one end of each of the
shaft-shaped arm members via one pivot shaft, and is made to be
pivotable around a line perpendicular to the longitudinal direction
of the track member as a pivot axis, wherein an elastic body having
an elastic force so as to be sandwiched by the pair of arm members
at the other ends of the shaft-shaped arm members is installed, the
pair of arm members pivots ordinarily by an elastic force exerted
by the elastic body in a direction in which the other ends of the
pair of arm members are away from or come close to each other, and
when receiving an external force against the elastic force exerted
by the elastic body, the pair of arm members pivots in a direction
in which the other ends of the pair of arm members come close to or
are away from each other, and is made to be pivotable around the
line perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the track
member as the pivot axis, wherein one or more rolling members are
disposed in a freely rolling state between the pivot axis and an
installation position of the elastic body of each of the
shaft-shaped arm members, wherein the one or more rolling members
are disposed between facing faces of one face of the track member
and an inner face formed on the clamper main body, wherein further,
the inner face of the clamper main body is formed to have a tapered
shape in a manner in which a distance between the facing faces is
narrower toward an end of the one face of the track member, wherein
when the pair of arm members pivots in a direction in which the
other ends of the pair of arm members are away by an elastic force
exerted by the elastic body or an external force against the
elastic force exerted by the elastic body, a frictional force based
on the tapered shape acts on the one or more rolling members, the
one or more rolling members receiving the elastic force toward a
position where the distance between the facing faces of the one
face of the track member and the inner face of the clamper main
body is narrow, and restraint of the clamper main body with respect
to the track member is performed, wherein when the pair of arm
members pivots in a direction in which the other ends of the pair
of arm members come close by an elastic force exerted by the
elastic body or an external force against the elastic force exerted
by the elastic body, a frictional force based on the tapered shape
is released by retracting the one or more rolling members from a
position where the distance between the facing faces of the one
face of the track member and the inner face of the clamper main
body is narrow, and non-restraint of the clamper main body with
respect to the track member is performed.
Effects of the Invention
According to the present invention, a novel motion guide device
clamper mechanism which achieves a weight reduction and a reduction
in size simultaneously, which does not exist in the prior art and
which can be suitably used for the motion guide device such as a
linear guide can be provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view illustrating one form of a
linear guide which is a motion guide device that can include the
motion guide device clamper mechanism in accordance with the
present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining an endless
circulation passage provided in the linear guide shown in FIG. 1 in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3A is an external perspective view of these motion guide
device clamper mechanism in accordance with the present embodiment,
as viewed from diagonally above on the front side.
FIG. 3B is an external perspective view of the motion guide device
clamper mechanism in accordance with the present embodiment as
viewed from diagonally above on the back side.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a motion guide device
clamper mechanism in accordance with the present embodiment.
FIG. 5A is a diagram showing a case where the motion guide device
clamper mechanism in accordance with the present embodiment is in a
restrained state, and in particular, shows an external perspective
view when viewed from diagonally above on the front side.
FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a case where the motion guide device
clamper mechanism in accordance with the present embodiment, is in
a restrained state, and in particular, shows an external
perspective view when viewed from diagonally below on the front
side.
FIG. 5C is a diagram showing a case where the motion guide device
clamper mechanism in accordance with the present embodiment is in a
restrained state, and in particular, shows an external top
view.
FIG. 5D is a diagram showing a case where the motion guide device
clamper mechanism in accordance with the present embodiment is in a
restrained state, and in particular, shows an I-I cross section in
FIG. 5C.
FIG. 6A is a diagram showing a case where a motion guide device
clamper mechanism in accordance with the present embodiment is in a
non-restrained state, and in particular, shows an external
perspective view when viewed from diagonally above on the front
side.
FIG. 6B is a diagram showing a case where the motion guide device
clamper mechanism in accordance with the present embodiment is in a
non-restrained state, and in particular, shows an external
perspective view when viewed from diagonally below on the front
side.
FIG. 6C is a diagram showing a case where the motion guide device
clamper mechanism in accordance with the present embodiment is in a
non-restrained state, and particularly shows an external top
view.
FIG. 6D is a diagram showing a case where the motion guide device
clamper mechanism in accordance with the present embodiment is in a
non-restrained state, and in particular, shows a II-II cross
section in FIG. 6C.
FIG. 7A is a partially cutaway view showing one of various
improvements which can be taken by the motion guide device clamper
mechanism in accordance with the present invention, and shows a
restrained state of the clamper main body with respect to the track
rail.
FIG. 7B is a partially cutaway view showing one of various
improvements which can be taken by the motion guide device clamper
mechanism in accordance with the present invention, showing a
non-restrained state of the clamper main body with respect to the
track rail.
FIG. 8A is a partially cutaway view showing another improvement of
the motion guide device clamper mechanism in accordance with the
present invention, showing a restrained state of the clamper main
body with respect to the track rail.
FIG. 8B is a partially cutaway view showing another improvement of
the motion guide device clamper mechanism in accordance with the
present invention, showing a non-restrained state of the clamper
main body with respect to the track rail.
FIG. 9A is a diagram showing a modification of the motion guide
device clamper mechanism according to another modification in
accordance with the present invention shown in FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B,
showing a restrained state of the clamper main body with respect to
the track rail.
FIG. 9B is a diagram showing a modification of the motion guide
device clamper mechanism according to another modification in
accordance with the present invention shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B,
showing a non-restrained state of the clamper main body with
respect to the track rail.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments for carrying out the present
invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The
following embodiments do not limit the invention according to each
claim, and all combinations of features described in the
embodiments are not necessarily essential to the means for solving
the invention.
First, the overall configuration of a linear guide 10 as a motion
guide device that can include a motion guide device clamper
mechanism 30 in accordance with the present embodiment will be
described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, FIG. 1 is an
external perspective view illustrating one form of the linear guide
which is a motion guide device which can include the motion guide
device clamper mechanism in accordance with the present embodiment.
Moreover, FIG. 2 is a sectional view for demonstrating the endless
circulation passage with which the linear guide shown in FIG. 1 is
provided.
The linear guide 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a track rail 11
as a track member and a movable block 13 as a movable member
slidably attached to the track rail 11 via balls 12 installed as a
large number of rolling members. The track rail 11 has bolt holes
11b for attaching the track rail 11 to the base members, such as a
base at equal intervals with bolts as mounting means passed through
from the upper face to the lower surface of the track rail 11, so
that the track rail 11 can be fixedly installed, by using the bolt
holes 11b, on the base member or the like which is a reference
surface. Further, the track rail 11 is a long member whose cross
section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction is formed in a
substantially rectangular shape, and on the surface (upper face and
both side faces), a rolling member rolling groove 11a as a track
surface which is a track when the balls 12 roll is formed over the
entire length of the track rail 11.
The track rail 11 may be formed to extend linearly or may be formed
to extend curvilinearly. In addition, although the number of
rolling member rolling grooves 11a illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 is
a total of four in two on the left and two on the right, the number
of the grooves may be changed according to the application of the
linear guide 10 or the like.
On the other hand, the movable block 13 is provided with a loaded
rolling member rolling groove 13a as a track surface at a position
each corresponding to the rolling member rolling groove 11a. A
loaded rolling member rolling passage 22 is formed by the rolling
member rolling groove 11a of the track rail 11 and the loaded
rolling member rolling groove 13a of the movable block 13, and a
plurality of balls 12 is sandwiched therebetween. Further, the
movable block 13 is provided with four non-loaded rolling member
rolling passages 23 extending in parallel with the respective
rolling member rolling grooves 11a in the inside thereof.
Furthermore, a pair of lids 17 and 17 is installed at the both ends
of the movable block in the movement direction. Each of the pair of
lids 17 and 17 is provided with a turnabout passage 25. The
turnabout passage 25 is configured to be able to connect the end of
the non-loaded rolling member rolling passage 23 and the end of the
loaded rolling member rolling passage 22. Therefore, one endless
circulation passage is configured by a combination of one loaded
rolling member rolling passage 22 and one non-loaded rolling member
rolling passage 23 and a pair of turnabout passages 25 and 25
connecting them (see FIG. 2).
Then, the plurality of balls 12 is installed so as to be infinitely
circulating in the endless circulation passage constituted by the
loaded rolling member rolling passage 22, the non-loaded rolling
member rolling passage 23 and the pair of turnabout passages 25 and
25, so that the movable block 13 can reciprocate relatively to the
track rail 11.
Further, a pair of end seals 15 and 15 as sealing members is
provided on the pair of lids 17 and 17 respectively so as to close
the gap between the movable block 13 and the track rail 11 outside
the pair of turnabout passages 25 and 25. The end seal 15 can be
provided with a lip at a contact point with the track rail 11, and
the lip or the end seal 15 itself slidingly contacts the track rail
11 without a gap, so that it is possible to give a dustproof effect
on the linear guide 10.
In the above, the whole structure of linear guide 10 which can
include a motion guide device clamper mechanism in accordance with
the present embodiment is described. Next, a basic configuration of
the motion guide device clamper mechanism 30 in accordance with the
present embodiment that can be suitably used for the
above-described linear guide 10 will be described with reference to
FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 4. Here, FIG. 3A is an external perspective view
of the motion guide device clamper mechanism in accordance with the
present embodiment as viewed from diagonally above on the front
side, and FIG. 3B is an external perspective view of the motion
guide device clamper mechanism in accordance with the present
embodiment as viewed from diagonally above on the back side.
Further, FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the motion guide
device clamper mechanism in accordance with the present
embodiment.
The motion guide device clamper mechanism 30 in accordance with the
present embodiment includes a clamper main body 31 that can be
freely reciprocated with the movable block 13 along the
longitudinal direction of the track rail 11 and a pair of
shaft-shaped arm members 41 and 41 attached to the clamper main
body 31.
The clamper main body 31 is configured as a substantially inverted
U-shaped member when viewed from the side, that is, when viewed
from the axial direction along the longitudinal direction of the
track rail 11. The lower part of the clamper main body 31, that is,
the open side of the substantially inverted U-shaped "U" character,
is configured to have a shape following the shape of the upper part
of the track rail 11, so that the clamper main body 31 is capable
of reciprocating along the longitudinal direction of the track rail
11 by fitting the lower part of the clamper main body 31 into the
upper part of the track rail 11. In addition, since the track rail
11 and the clamper main body 31 are attached by the action of the
shape corresponding to each other, the clamper main body 31 can
reciprocate while slidingly contact the track rail 11.
Further, the pair of arm members 41 and 41 is attached to the
clamper main body 31. Each of the pair of arm members 41 and 41 is
a shaft-shaped arm member. The arm member 41 has a shaft hole 42 on
one end side (upper left side of the paper in FIG. 4). Further, the
clamper main body 31 also has an attachment hole 32 corresponding
to the shaft hole 42 of the arm member 41, and a pivot shaft 34 is
installed by insertion with respect to the attachment hole 32 and
the shaft hole 42. Therefore, each of the pair of arm members 41
and 41 is attached to the clamper main body 31 via the one pivot
shaft 34 at one end of the shaft-shaped arm member 41, so that each
of the pair of arm members 41 and 41 is rotatable about a line
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the track rail 11 as
a pivot axis.
On the other hand, an attachment hole 43 for installing a coil
spring 53 which is an elastic body having an elastic force is
formed at the other end (the lower right side of the paper in FIG.
4) of the shaft-shaped arm member 41. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B,
the coil spring 53 is inserted into the attachment holes 43 and 43
that the pair of arm members 41 and 41 has respectively, and the
coil spring 53 is installed so as to be sandwiched by the pair of
arm members 41 and 41, so that the pair of arm members 41 and 41
pivots in the direction in which the other ends of the pair of arm
members 41 and 41 (that is, the coil spring 53 installation side)
are constantly away from each other by the elastic force exerted by
the coil spring 53. Further, the pair of arm members 41 and 41
pivots in the direction in which the other ends of the pair of arm
members 41 and 41 (that is, the coil spring 53 installation side)
come close to each other when receiving the external force against
the elastic force exerted by the coil spring 53. That is, the pair
of arm members 41 and 41 can pivot respectively about the pivot
shafts 34 and 34 as a pivot center and a line perpendicular to the
longitudinal direction of the track rail 11 as the pivot axis.
Furthermore, a ball holding hole 45 for holding one ball 55 in a
freely rolling state is formed between the installation positions
of the pivot shaft 34 and the coil spring 53 for the shaft-shaped
arm member 41. The ball 55 is arranged in a freely rolling state in
the ball holding hole 45, and furthermore, the ball 55 is disposed
between the facing faces of an upper face of the track rail 11 and
an inner face 35 formed in the clamper main body 31 (details of
"the inner face 35" will be described later.). When the pair of arm
members 41 and 41 performs an pivot operation respectively around
the pivot shafts 34 and 34 as a pivot center and a line
perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the track rail 11 as
a pivot axis, the ball 55 performs a rolling motion between the
facing faces of the upper face, which is one face of the track rail
11, and the inner face formed in the clamper main body 31, so that
the ball 55 guides the pivot operation performed by the pair of arm
members 41 and 41.
Furthermore, a wire cable 61 is installed to connect the pair of
arm members 41 and 41 at the position where the coil spring 53 is
installed in the pair of arm members 41 and 41, that is, at the
position on the other ends of the shaft-shaped arm members 41. The
wire cable 61 is configured to include a wire 62 which build a
bridge so as to connect the other ends of the pair of arm members
41 and 41, a nipple 63 fixedly installed at the distal end of the
wire 62, and an outer tube 64 covering the wire 62 in the state
where the wire is axially movable. Since the wire cable 61 is, as
shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, installed so as to sandwich the other
ends of the pair of arm members 41 and 41 by the nipple 63 and the
outer tube 64, it is possible to generate an external force for
pivoting the arm members in the direction in which the other ends
of the pair of arm members 41 and 41 come close to each other, that
is, an external force against the elastic force exerted by the coil
spring 53 by pulling the wire 62 so as to narrow the distance
between the nipple 63 and the outer tube 64.
In addition, it is possible to attach, to the wire cable 61, a
handle and the like (not shown) for pulling the wire 62, and it is
possible to apply to this handle and the like the mechanism used
for the brake system of a bicycle, for example. By applying such a
known mechanism, a suitable operation of the wire cable 61 in
accordance with the present embodiment can be achieved.
The basic configuration of the motion guide device clamper
mechanism 30 in accordance with the present embodiment has been
described above. Next, specific features and operations of the
motion guide device clamper mechanism 30 in accordance with the
present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to
6D. Here, FIGS. 5A to 5D are diagrams showing a case where the
motion guide device clamper mechanism in accordance with the
present embodiment is in a restrained state. In particular, FIG. 5A
shows an external perspective view when viewed from diagonally
above on the front side, FIG. 5B shows an external perspective view
when viewed from diagonally below on the front side, FIG. 5C shows
an external top view, and FIG. 5D shows an I-I cross section in
FIG. 5C. Further, FIGS. 6A to 6D are diagrams showing a case where
the motion guide device clamper mechanism in accordance with the
present embodiment is in the non-restrained state. In particular,
FIG. 6A shows an external perspective view when viewed from
diagonally above on the front side, FIG. 6B shows an external
perspective view when viewed from diagonally below on the front
side, FIG. 6C shows an external top view, and FIG. 6D shows the
II-II cross section in FIG. 6C.
As mentioned above, in the motion guide device clamper mechanism 30
in accordance with the present embodiment, the ball holding hole 45
for holding one ball 55 in a freely rolling state is formed between
the installation positions of the pivot shaft 34 of the
shaft-shaped arm member 41 and the coil spring 53, so that one ball
55 is disposed in a freely rolling state in the ball holding hole
45. The ball 55 is disposed between the facing faces of the upper
face, which is one face of the track rail 11, and the inner face 35
formed in the clamper main body 31. Here, the shape of the inner
face 35 formed in the clamper main body 31 is clearly shown by
FIGS. 5D and 6D.
The inner face 35 formed in the clamper main body 31 in accordance
with the present embodiment is a portion formed as the inner face
of the upper part of the clamper main body 31, that is, the side
opposite the open side of the substantially inverted U-shaped "U".
The inner face 35 of the clamper main body 31 in accordance with
the present embodiment is formed in a tapered shape such that the
distance between the facing faces is narrow as it goes to the end
of the upper face of the track rail 11. Therefore, when the pair of
arm members 41 and 41 perform a fan-like operation, the balls 55
held by the ball holding holes 45 formed in the pair of arm members
41 and 41 perform a rolling operation between the upper face of the
track rail 11 and the inner face 35 of the clamper main body 31
formed in a tapered shape.
As shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, in a normal state in which the other ends
of the pair of arm members 41 and 41 are pivoted away from each
other by the elastic force exerted by the coil spring 53, the pair
of balls 55 installed one by one in the pair of arm members 41 and
41 receives an elastic force toward the position at which the
distance between the facing faces of the upper face of the track
rail 11 and the inner face 35 of the clamper main body 31 is
narrow, that is, toward the left and right direction of the paper
in FIG. 5D, so that the balls 55 are subjected to a frictional
force based on the taper shape, and the clamper main body 31 with
respect to the track rail 11 is restrained.
On the other hand, when the wire cable 61 is driven to pull the
wire 62, as shown in FIGS. 6A-6D, the pair of arm members 41 and 41
receives an external force that resists the elastic force exerted
by the coil spring 53, so that the pair of arm members 41 and 41
pivots in the direction in which the other ends come to close to
each other. At this time, the pair of balls 55 installed one by one
in the pair of arm members 41 and 41 retracts from a position where
the distance between the facing faces of the upper face of the
track rail 11 and the inner face 35 of the clamper main body 31 is
narrow. That is, since the balls receive the external force so as
to move to the left and right direction of the paper in FIG. 6D,
the balls 55 are released from the frictional force based on the
tapered shape, and the non-restrained state of the clamper main
body 31 with respect to the track rail 11 is achieved.
In addition, since the pair of arm members 41 and 41 is used for
the motion guide device clamper mechanism 30 in accordance with the
present embodiment, the force increasing function according to the
lever principle is provided, so that the effect of unlocking can be
obtained even with a small force by the force increasing
function.
In this way, in the motion guide device clamper mechanism 30 in
accordance with the present embodiment, the fan-like operation of
the pair of arm members 41 and 41 is performed by driving the wire
cable 61, so that it is possible to easily achieve the
restrained/non-restrained state of the clamper main body 31 with
respect to the track rail 11. Further, by connecting the clamper
main body 31 in accordance with the present embodiment with the
movable block 13 of the linear guide 10, the movable block 13 can
be restrained/not restrained at any position in the longitudinal
direction of the track rail 11. Therefore, according to the motion
guide device clamper mechanism 30 in accordance with the present
embodiment, positioning of the movable block 13 with respect to the
track rail 11 can be performed easily and reliably with a high
degree of freedom.
Note that in the motion guide device clamper mechanism 30 in
accordance with the present embodiment, the height dimension of the
clamper main body 31 is equal to or smaller than the height
dimension of the movable block 13 of the linear guide 10. This
configuration is achieved when the pair of arm members 41 and 41,
which is members for performing restraint and non-restraint of the
clamper main body 31 with respect to the track rail 11 is formed to
protrude laterally beyond the dimension in the width direction of
the track rail 11, which is a direction orthogonal to the
longitudinal direction, when viewing the linear guide 10 from the
upper face (see FIGS. 5C and 6C). With these configurations, when
applied to the linear guide 10, the motion guide device clamper
mechanism 30 in accordance with the present embodiment exhibits the
advantage that the external dimension in the height direction of
the linear guide 10 is not increased. Such an advantage brings
about an effect that cannot be achieved by the prior art. For
example, in the linear guide 10, when the track rail 11 is attached
to a base member such as a base, and the guide object is attached
to the movable block 13, since the motion guide device clamper
mechanism 30 in accordance with the present embodiment has a
mechanism that achieves both weight reduction and size reduction
simultaneously, it is possible to maintain a suitable guide
accuracy without disturbing the movement of the attachment member
described above.
As mentioned above, although the suitable embodiment of the present
invention is described, the technical scope of the present
invention is not limited to the range given in the above-mentioned
embodiment. It is possible to add various change or improvement to
the above-mentioned embodiment.
For example, in the embodiment described above, a configuration is
illustrated in which one ball holding hole 45 is formed for one
shaft-shaped arm member 41, and one ball 55 is disposed. That is,
the configuration is illustrated in which the balls 55 are disposed
one by one for each of the pair of arm members 41 and 41, but the
number of balls 55 arranged for one arm member 41 may be plural.
For example, even in the case where two balls 55 are disposed for
each of the pair of arm members 41 and 41, it is possible to
achieve a motion guide device clamper mechanism which can exhibit
the same function and effect as the embodiment described above.
When two balls 55 are disposed for each of the pair of arm members
41 and 41, the amount of ball 55 biting into the tapered shape is
adjusted by for example, changing the diameter of the ball 55,
changing the taper shape of the inner face 35, and the like with
respect to the embodiment described above, so that it is possible
to obtain the same function and effect as those of the embodiment
described above.
Moreover, although it is preferable that the rolling member
disposed with respect to the arm member 41 be the ball 55 as in
this embodiment mentioned above, it is also possible to use another
rolling member as long as a pair of arm members 41 and 41 can pivot
around the pivot shafts 34 and 34 respectively as a pivot center
and around a line perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of
the track rail 11 as a pivot axis. For example, rolling members of
any shape, such as cylindrical rollers, drum-shaped drum rollers,
rollers, etc., can be applied to the present invention.
Further, in the embodiment described above, the coil spring 53
installed so as to be sandwiched by the pair of arm members 41 and
41 exerts an elastic force so that the pair of arm members 41 and
41 pivots in a direction in which the other ends of the pair of arm
members 41 and 41 (that is, the coil spring 53 installation side)
is away from each other. Therefore, the present embodiment is
configured such that in the normal state, the pair of arm members
41 and 41 pivots, by the elastic force exerted by the coil spring
53, in a direction in which the other ends of the pair of arm
members 41 and 41 (that is, the coil spring 53 installation side)
is away from each other, so that the restrained state by the motion
guide device clamper mechanism 30 in accordance with the present
embodiment is achieved, and on the other hand, the pair of arm
members 41 and 41 pivots, by operating the wire cable 61 and
applying an external force against the elastic force exerted by the
coil spring 53, in a direction in which the other ends of the pair
of arm members 41 and 41 (that is, the coil spring 53 installation
side) come close to each other, so that the non-restrained state by
the motion guide device clamper mechanism 30 in accordance with the
present embodiment is achieved. However, in the present invention,
instead of using the coil spring 53 as a compression spring as used
in the present embodiment, it is also possible to use a coil spring
as a tension spring. That is, in the present invention, the
configuration may be such that in the normal state, the pair of arm
members 41 and 41 pivots, by the elastic force exerted by the
tension spring, in a direction in which the other ends of the pair
of arm members 41 and 41 (that is, the tension spring installation
side) come close to each other, so that the non-restrained state by
the motion guide device clamper mechanism 30 in accordance with the
present embodiment is achieved, and on the other hand, the pair of
arm members 41 and 41 pivots, by operating the wire cable 61 and
applying an external force against the elastic force exerted by the
tension spring, in a direction in which the other ends of the pair
of arm members 41 and 41 (that is, the tension spring installation
side) is away from each other, so that the restrained state by the
motion guide device clamper mechanism in accordance with the
present invention is achieved.
Further, it is possible to improve the pair of arm members 41 and
41 in order to make the fan-shaped pivot operation performed by the
pair of arm members 41 and 41 according to the embodiment described
above more reliable and smooth. Such an improvement is shown in
FIGS. 7A and 7B. Here, FIG. 7A is a partially cutaway view showing
one of various improvements which can be taken by the motion guide
device clamper mechanism in accordance with the present invention,
and shows the restrained state of the clamper main body 31 with
respect to the track rail 11. Further, FIG. 7B is a partially
cutaway view showing one of various improvements which can be taken
by the motion guide device clamper mechanism in accordance with the
present invention, and shows the non-restrained state of the
clamper main body 31 with respect to the track rail 11. Although it
is clear from the point where the clamper main body 31 is cutaway
and shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in the motion guide device clamper
mechanism 130 according to this improvement, gear shapes 146 and
146 as an engagement shape part are formed in the one end (the
upper side of the paper in FIGS. 7A and 7B) of the shaft-shaped arm
member for each of the pair of arm members 41 and 41. A pair of arm
members 41 and 41 concerning this improvement is attached to the
clamper main body 31 so that the gear shapes 146 and 146 formed in
the arm members will be in an engagement state. Therefore, in the
motion guide device clamper mechanism 130 according to the
improvement, when the other ends of the pair of arm members 41 and
41 (that is, the coil spring 53 installation side) pivot in a
direction in which the arm members are away from or come close to
each other, the pair of arm members 41 and 41 is configured to
surely pivot in conjunction with each other. Such a configuration
achieves a reliable operation of a motion guide device clamper
mechanism 130 according to the improvement. For example, as shown
in FIGS. 7A and 7B, it can be assumed that the pair of arm members
41 and 41 cannot pivot equally when the wire cable 61 is arranged
linearly. However, the gear shapes 146 and 146 are formed on the
pair of arm members 41 and 41, respectively, and the engagement
state where these are engaged is achieved, so that both of the pair
of arm members 41 and 41 can surely pivot equally. That is,
according to the motion guide device clamper mechanism 130
according to the present improvement, stable operation can surely
be performed under any use environment, and a
constrained/non-restrained state can be reliably achieved. Note
that in FIGS. 7A and 7B, although the case where the gear shapes
146 and 146 as an engagement shape part are formed is illustrated,
any shape may be used with respect to the engagement shape part in
accordance with the present invention as long as the function and
effect same as those of the gear shapes 146 and 146 can be
obtained, and for example, in place of the gear shapes 146 and 146,
an engagement shape part having a serration shape may be
employed.
Further, for example, the motion of the wire cable 61 can be made
more stable by further improving the motion guide device clamper
mechanism 130 according to the improvement shown in FIGS. 7A and
7B. FIGS. 8A and 8B show the specific improvement. Here, FIG. 8A is
a partially cutaway view showing another improvement of the motion
guide device clamper mechanism in accordance with the present
invention, showing a restrained state of the clamper main body 31
with respect to the track rail 11. FIG. 8B is a partially cutaway
view showing another improvement of the motion guide device clamper
mechanism in accordance with the present invention, showing a
non-restrained state of the clamper main body 31 with respect to
the track rail 11. In a motion guide device clamper mechanism 230
according to another improvement shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, a fixed
wall face 148 is formed with respect to the clamper main body 31.
The fixed wall face 148, as in the pair of arm members 41 and 41,
is a member formed to protrude laterally (downward of the paper in
FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B) beyond the dimension in the width direction of
the track rail 11, which is a direction orthogonal to the
longitudinal direction, when the linear guide 10 is viewed from the
upper face. Further, the fixed wall face 148 is disposed between
the other end of any one of the pair of arm members 41 and 41 and
the outer tube 64, and is a member disposed in a state where the
outer tube 64 is fixed and installed. Therefore, regardless of the
arrangement of the wire cable 61 with respect to the motion guide
device clamper mechanism 230, the outer tube 64 and the nipple 63
fixed to the fixed wall face 148 are disposed in a state in which
the pair of arm members 41 and 41 are securely sandwiched, so that
it is possible to perform the fan-like pivot operation by the pair
of arm members 41 and 41 reliably and smoothly when the wire 62 is
pulled. Note that FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams showing a
modification of the motion guide device clamper mechanism according
to another modification in accordance with the present invention
shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. FIG. 9A shows the restrained state of the
clamper main body 31 with respect to the track rail 11, and FIG. 9B
shows the non-restrained state of the clamper main body 31 with
respect to the track rail 11. When viewing the clamper main body 31
from the upper face, the fixed wall face 148 formed on the clamper
main body 31 may be disposed on the right side of the paper of the
clamper main body 31 as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, and may be
disposed on the left side of the paper of the clamper main body 31
as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B. That is, the fixed wall face 148
according to another improvement can be used corresponding to all
the use conditions of the motion guide device clamper mechanism
230.
Note that although FIGS. 8A to 9B show an embodiment in which both
the gear shape 146 and the fixed wall face 148 are provided, it is
also possible to provide only one of the gear shape 146 and the
fixed wall face 148 with respect to the motion guide device clamper
mechanism in accordance with the present invention.
It is also apparent from the scope of the claims that the
embodiments adding such modifications or improvements can be
included in the technical scope of the present invention.
REFERENCE NUMERALS
10: linear guide, 11: track rail, 11a: rolling member rolling
groove, 11b: bolt hole, 12: ball, 13: movable block, 13a: loaded
rolling member rolling groove, 15: end seal, 17: lid, 22: loaded
rolling member rolling passage, 23: non-loaded rolling member
rolling passage, 25: turnabout passage, 30, 130, 230: motion guide
device clamper mechanism, 31: clamper main body, 32: attachment
hole, 34: pivot shaft, 35: inner face, 41: arm member, 42: shaft
hole 43: attachment hole, 45: ball holding hole, 53: coil spring
55: ball, 61: wire cable, 62: wire, 63: nipple, 64: outer tube,
146: gear shape, 148: fixed wall face
* * * * *